Why We're Loving the New ApplyTexas Essay Prompts

Why We’re Loving the New ApplyTexas Essay Prompts

The new ApplyTexas essay prompts were released a few months ago, and we’ve finally had a chance to start working with our students on them. We have to say – we love the new prompts! The topics give students enough freedom to really set themselves apart from other candidates.

The old prompts — write about a time that you worked in a diverse group (2013-2015), overcame an obstacle (2013-2015), or share an issue important to you (2011-2013), etc. – forced students to make their experiences fit a prompt. The new ApplyTexas essay topics give greater flexibility, and allow students to make the prompt fit their experiences. Of course, this provides a different challenge: structure. It is now the student’s responsibility to narrow the topic. Despite this small catch, The Enrichery team is loving the new ApplyTexas essay topics. Find out why below!

Topic A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.

Why we love it: This topic is broad enough for students to write a meaningful story. This question forces students to consider their roots and allows for deep reflection.

Where students get stuck: Don’t get too bogged down by the exact definition of “home”; you actually have a lot of leeway with this prompt. Think about your environment as a whole, and then narrow it down to a specific thing that influenced you (family, culture, hobbies, etc.).

Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Why we love it: This topic is a great chance to show your passion for a particular field of study without forcing you to map out a 10-year plan. (It also is almost a perfect match for CommonApp’s essay prompt #1!)

Where students get stuck: Everyone’s got something they’re passionate about! Take the time to think about what you enjoy doing.

Topic C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Why we love it: We’re so excited for this prompt! This is such a great chance to show your creative side. Feel free to show the admissions committee that you have an imagination! Also, since we also know that UT loves students with direction, it would be a great idea to connect this essay topic with your major choice. Want to major in English? Perhaps you get a ticket to join the Beat poets in San Francisco.

Where students get stuck: Don’t put too many limitations on this one. Want to time travel? Cool! Go ahead and have fun making up a story, but make sure that your story reflects qualities about you that will impress admissions committees.